Azpeitia

Azpeitia is a Spanish municipality in the autonomous province of the Basque Country. It is part of the province of Guipúzcoa. It consists of seven formerly independent places, including the place of Loyola, the birthplace of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order.

Located at the foot of Izaraitz Massif and the river Urola municipality has 14,509 inhabitants ( 2013).

Economy

The most important sector of the community are timber production and wood processing industry, which can draw on the local forests as a resource. These come in second line of the metallurgic sector and the exploitation of nearby quarries. The agriculture, especially livestock, served primarily the local market.

Another important economic factor is tourism, especially pilgrimages to the Sanctuary and the birthplace of St.. Ignatius Loyola.

Attractions

• San Sebastian de Soriasu, built on ancient foundations of the church from the 16th century with structural changes of the 18th century.
• Casa Enparan, a 1320 built house that has been remodeled in 1535 and 1750 once again was rebuilt.
• Antxieta Palace, 16th century
• Monastery of Santa Magdalena, 19 century
• Monastery of Our Lady of Antigua, 18th Century
• Plaza de Toros, built in 1903
• Museo vasco de Ferrocarril. In the Valley of Oruna a railway line was built in the 19th century, the first that has been electrified in Spain. After closure of the railway a railway museum with locomotives, cars and other exhibits railway history has been established in the station of Azpeitia.
• Environment Museum
• Santuario di Ignatius Loyola. The complex, which consists of several baroque buildings, is a major Catholic pilgrimage site.